Event helps those in need

Published 3:16 am, Sunday, April 3, 2016

Jazmyn Nunez of Jacksonville (left) and Tiffany Tracy of Jacksonville look through some clothes Saturday at the Share the Love event at Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen and Community Center.

Jazmyn Nunez of Jacksonville (left) and Tiffany Tracy of Jacksonville look through some clothes Saturday at the Share the Love event at Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen and Community Center.

Photo: Greg Olson | Journal-Courier

Event helps those in need

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Volunteers say it’s all about helping neighbors in need. On Saturday, about 100 volunteers turned out to provide some kind words and some much-needed things to dozens of people.

At the fifth annual Share the Love event, volunteers came together to collect, sort and distribute food, clothing, hygiene items and cleaning supplies at Jacksonville’s Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen and Community Center, which hosted the event for the first time.

Among the volunteers were members of the MacMurray College football team and coaching staff. Share the Love coordinator Maria Phillips was thrilled to have their help again.

“They even helped lead people through the event to shop,” Phillips said. “For the past three years, MacMurray football players and coaches have generously given of their time and muscle to help organize and make Share the Love a success.”

She added that this year a number of other MacMurray students as well as Illinois College students volunteered. For their efforts, volunteers received a free sack lunch and water.

“We had a good mix of age groups that volunteered,” Phillips said. “We spent eight hours on Friday setting up at Spirit of Faith. Everything went smoothly — from the sign up to picking out clothes and bedding to receiving the buckets of cleaning supplies, hygiene bags and food bags. And we were all blessed to receive a huge contribution of produce and bakery goods from The Salvation Army.”

Phillips added that Jacksonville police officers were invited to attend. “They were able to come and be here in a non-emergency situation,” she said. “We want to encourage positive interactions with our police officers.”

Whether it was their first time helping or their fifth time, volunteers seemed grateful to have the chance to take part.

“This was my first time helping at Share the Love,” volunteer Alexa Crumley said. “The Jacksonville community has blessed our family, so I think it’s important to give back. What I’m impressed with is how well it’s run.”

Among those helping to make things run smoothly were volunteers Tanasia Clark and Michelle Stark.

“I helped people pick out clothes,” Clark said. “I enjoy helping people in need. It brightens their day.”

Stark added: “I volunteer because I like to see kids smile when they get new clothes. It puts a smile on my face and it helps the parents feel like they’re doing something positive for their children. It’s also a good way to learn respect for others and just to help people.”

Volunteer Sharon Baptist said “it’s great that [Share the Love] helps so many people. You never know, it could be you” that the event helps.

“Share the Love is an amazing day for both the recipients and the volunteers,” Phillips said. “It’s a day when people of different backgrounds can come together and share an experience. We have been given so much — not just material things but encouragement, love, forgiveness and acceptance. We can’t help but want to share those important things with everyone. Material poverty is difficult, but spiritual poverty is even more devastating. Share the Love ’s main goal is to feed the spirit.”

Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg.